19. Everyday Life Is The Path
Joshu asked Nansen: "What is the path?"

Nansen said: "Everyday life is the path."

Joshu asked: "Can it be studied?"

Nansen said: "If you try to study, you will be far away from it."

Joshu asked: "If I do not study, how can I know it is the path?"

Nansen said: "The path does not belong to the perception world, neither does it belong to the nonperception world. Cognition is a delusion and noncognition is senseless. If you want to reach the true path beyond doubt, place yourself in the same freedom as sky. You name it neither good nor not-good."

At these words Joshu was enlightened.

Mumon’s comment: Nansen could melt Joshu's frozen doubts at once when Joshu asked his questions. I doubt though if Joshu reached the point that Nansen did. He needed thirty more years of study.

In spring, hundreds of flowers; in autumn, a harvest moon;
In summer, a refreshing breeze; in winter, snow will accompany you.
If useless things do not hang in your mind,
Any season is a good season for you.

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The Gateless Gate »The Gateless Gate
19. Everyday Life Is The Path
01. Joshu's Dog »01. Joshu's Dog
07. Joshu Washes a Bowl »07. Joshu Washes a Bowl
11. Joshu Examines a Monk in Meditation »11. Joshu Examines a Monk in Meditation
14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two »14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two
31. Joshu Investigates »31. Joshu Investigates
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden »38. An Oak Tree In The Garden
14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two »14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things »27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things
34. Learning Is Not The Path »34. Learning Is Not The Path
01. Joshu's Dog »01. Joshu's Dog
07. Joshu Washes a Bowl »07. Joshu Washes a Bowl
11. Joshu Examines a Monk in Meditation »11. Joshu Examines a Monk in Meditation
14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two »14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two
31. Joshu Investigates »31. Joshu Investigates
38. An Oak Tree In The Garden »38. An Oak Tree In The Garden
14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two »14. Nansen Cuts the Cat in Two
27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things »27. It Is Not Mind, It Is Not Buddha, It Is Not Things
34. Learning Is Not The Path »34. Learning Is Not The Path
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